La epigalocatequina-3-galato induce apoptosis en plaquetas

Apoptosis, a form of cell death characteristic of nucleated cells, also occurs in human platelets. It plays an important role in platelet density control. A deregulation of this process could contribute to increase thrombocytopenia. Platelet apoptosis can be triggered by platelet agonists and xenobiotic agents. Important xenobiotics are plant-bioproducts (secondary metabolites) which have been recognized for having beneficial effects on health. However, it is important to evaluate platelet apoptosis in presence of these substances and thus to establish safety profiles. In this work, we evaluated the apoptotic effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on different apoptotic markers in human platelets. The EGCG is the most abundant flavonoid present in extracts derived from green tea leaves, which has various beneficial effects related to its antioxidant properties. Platelets obtained from healthy donors were washed and then incubated with EGCG. for 45 minutes at 37°C, to evaluate its influence in the mitochondrial membrane potential, caspases activity and phosphatidylserine exposure. The results showed that EGCG, decreases the mitochondrial membrane potential in a concentration-dependent manner. It also activates caspases 3, 8 and 9, and induces exposure to phosphatidylserine. The in vitro apoptotic effect of EGCG suggests its possible role in decreasing the number of circulating blood platelets.